Pain of it
Racing can be a cruel game at times. Just when one thinks one has everything right, something comes along and slaps one in the face.
Having to scratch King of Pain for Saturday’s Horse Chestnut Stakes was a real blow. He appeared to have travelled extremely well and had had the most superb prep going into the race. I could not have been any happier with him, writes Joey Ramsden.
Unfortunately he had other ideas and proceeded to try and knock his stable wall down with a brutal kick, bruising his heels in the process. That was it: game over. But these things are sent to test us and we just have to move on from here. He is entered in the Champion’s Challenge in a few week’s time in Johannesburg.
Fingers Crossed
Everything seemed to fit in well re time allowed for altitude adjustment and everything that goes with racing in another centre. However, as I said many times before, winning these feature races is all about having the right prep. He certainly would not have had the right prep now heading into the Champion’s Challenge so I think the right thing to do is pull him out, ship him down to Durban and have a crack at the Drill Hall Stakes.
Fingers crossed he gets a good draw. At some point, I was thinking it might be quite a weak Drill Hall with the big race going on in Turffontein around the same time. However, I forgot about Justin Snaith’s powerful team of horses and I am sure they will be lined up and ready to go. Both races look to be extremely tough contests.
My Colleagues
Captain America – terrific Gr1 win
Full marks to trainer Brett Crawford on a magnificent win with Captain America.
His horse looked extremely tough to beat no matter how well King of Pain might have been on the day. Sean Tarry also had a fantastic day, having an extremely strong hand and leading in graded winner after graded winner. He looks to be the future champion trainer elect and no one could deserve it more.
It was also good seeing Mike de Kock’s stayer, Kingston Mines, win the Gold Cup. This stamps our horse, Coltrane’s, form and points to him being one of the most useful stayers around.
No Fan
I am not sure what to make of the Dubai World Cup. I am not a fan of dirt racing and looking at all that dreadful kick back just seemed to cement that. It does not look to be a friendly surface for either horse or jockey.
Certain trainers complain about it and the jockeys are not too keen on it either. It certainly limits the European horses’ chances of running and winning there and makes the American option all that more enticing.
Mike de Kock’s horse, Mubtaahij, that won the Derby is a totally different animal on dirt compared to the grass. One thing is for certain: he does look like having a lively chance in the run for the roses in the Kentucky Derby, run in the first week in May. This horse does look a seriously special candidate. Very impressive indeed.
Godolphin managed to pull one out of the hat yet again by winning the Dubai World Cup with the 8 year old Prince Bishop. He is nearly as old as I am. It is incredible how these horses, particularly the American ones, are happy to run so wide and race up with the pace and still produce the most wonderful finish. They are as tough as nails. One has to compliment Godolphin on the winner.
No Direction
It is great to have our good friends, Dharmesh and Melissa Naik, over from Mauritius along with their two daughters. They are all heading off to the One Direction concert. I know what I would like to send in one direction but it is unfortunately not for printing.
Everyone down here, particularly the girls, are going crazy and can talk about nothing else. You do not get three guesses about where I will NOT be but my poor wife, Fee, is being dragged along by my two daughters to see them. Both of them have been making posters all week.
Apparently there is one member of the band who likes girls with glasses. My younger daughter, Big Zee, seems particularly excited at this prospect as she wears specs. I had to laugh when I saw her poster as it says: I love Harry because he loves girls wearing spectacles. I had a good giggle over it. However, I fear Harry is going to need an extremely powerful set of his own specs if he is to spot her in the crowd as she is not very big at all.
Drawing Blanks
While we have had very little racing down here, we have Durbanville this Wednesday. Sadly we had huge draws which is a great shame as it means not many runners for us. But they have made their own bed regarding draws and now they must lie in it.
The weather in the Cape is still reasonably warm, although Autumn has definitely crept quietly in. Our horses already have light sheets on at night and it will not be long before the winter ones follow.
I can confirm there is absolutely no truth in the rumour that David Pipe, the son of legendary trainer, Martin Pipe, has been phoning Miss Fiona Haynes (Ramsden) up as a replacement for A P McCoy after hearing that she was most competent when riding against him a few years ago.
I can however confirm the offer of the retainer simply was not big enough.
Our string has settled in extremely well at Summerveld.
I will be taking a look at them during the week before heading off to the sales.
www.joeyramsden.com
